Chapter 3:

Kagome took the wheel as Sango sat in the passenger's side, crossing her arms over her chest, boring holes in the windshield; her face completely flushed with anger and embarrassment. Kagome thought as they rode in silence; out of all the guys that approached her, even the few that she dated, Miroku was the only one to date that was so open with his feelings, no matter how crude they actually were. She observed her friend from the corner of her eye, and he always seemed to get under her skin for some reason. You could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. She pushed her pervious thoughts aside as she parked along side the curb.

"You coming in?" shaking her head no, Kagome shrugged indifferently. "Be right back." She announced, getting out of the car, she walked along the concrete path to her home. Unlocking the door, she walked in, making a beeline for her room. Reaching under her made bed, she pulled out a green and blue duffle bag; placing it on top, she walked over to her closet, selecting a few articles of clothing.

"Whatcha doing?" she jumped, dropping the clothes in her hands. Turning she saw her brother leaning against the doorframe, munching on a glossy red apple.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned, picking up her garments. "It's like one in the afternoon. You better not have been skipping." She warned dumping her clothes on the bed; she began to fold.

"Chillax. We had a freshmen field trip. My teachers signed my slip so I got to go home early." He explained, taking another bit. "Where you going?" he asked, noticing that she was packing. She moved to her dresser, taking out her under clothes.

"Away." She answered, going back to her task at hand.

"That tells me nothing." He said soberly. She sighed heavily, why couldn't he just leave her be?

"I am exhausted of Grandfather's treatment supposedly of parental fortification because of his assumption that I am still an adolescent female and that I require it. So for that rationale alone has forced me to abscond." She zipped her bag rather harshly, placing her hand on top of it; she turned staring at her Souta's confused face.

"What!" she rolled her eyes at his response. "Swear I need a dictionary when I'm talking to you. What did you just say?" she huffed.

"I said, I'm tired of Grandfather treating me like a kid so I'm leaving." She yanked the thick strap over her shoulder, adjusting to the weight of it.

"Oh. Why didn't you just say that?"

"I did." She said, walking past him.

"Yeah put you put all those big words in there and it makes my head hurt."

"If you'd pick up a book once in your life instead of watching T.V and playing video games all the time." She jogged down the stairs, Souta totted behind.

"So you staying at Sango's?" he tossed the apple core in the trash.

"Yeah, and she's waiting for me outside." She said, heading to the door.

"How long will you be gone?"

"Dunno." She called out before shutting door behind her. Souta groaned realizing that he was stuck with all the drama when grandfather came home.

Walking hurriedly, Kagome opened up the back door, throwing the duffle bag on the seat before walking around to the driver's side. She revved up the car and pulled onto the road.

"Who was that?" she asked when Sango closed her cell phone.

"Just Nami. She called to say that track practice is canceled tomorrow cause the coach got the flu." She shifted to get a better view at what was thrown back there. "What's with the bag?" she gave Kagome a puzzled look. She frowned when she didn't receive a response. Then she figured it out. "You're crazy as hell if you think you're staying at my place."

"Aw, come on Sango." She whined. "You live in that spacious apartment all by yourself."

"Uh huh, and I like it that way. No."

"You can use the company." She stopped at a red light. She turned to face her; clasping her hands together as if in prayer she pleaded with her eyes, poking out her bottom lip. Still Sango was unmoved. "I'll even pay rent." She laid down her final offer hoping that would work.

"You have a green light." Sango said which wasn't what Kagome wanted to hear. Sighing dramatically, she began to drive in silence. Only the inaudible sound that passed through Sango's lips broke it. "You can stay." She cringed slightly when squealing erupted within the car. "So where are we headed next?"

"To the salon." Kagome answered, her bright smile never dimming

"Yeah, yeah. Alright, I'll be there in an hour. Bye." Inuyasha disconnected the conversation, tucking his phone back in his pocket. He walked up the stone steps, leading to the wooden French doors. Unlocking it, he stepped into the welcoming warmth of home. His footsteps echoed through the vast hallway, towards the staircase, deciding that he would rinse off and change his clothes before meeting his friends at the mall. Making it to the next floor he turned right, walking down the second corridor to his room. Maybe this was the reason why he and his brother weren't so close; their home could house a small village with so many rooms that they barely use, except for maybe the grand ballroom, where his father entertained his guest when he threw a party or two. There was so much space that it was easy to avoid each other if they wanted to, which they did. Either Sesshomaru was hauled up in his room or he was out with his friends, they were in their own worlds; there was no need to interfere in the one another's lives. So what was the point in starting now?

He shoved opened his bedroom door, slamming it forcefully. He shed his Varsity jacket, hanging it over the back of a chair. He dragged his hands through his hair closing his eyes; this was so annoying. He shook his head, he was not gonna stress over this. He'd just do what his father asked of him and be done with it. Sighing heavily he walked across his room, towards his bathroom. Stripping off his clothes, he stepped into the shower. He allowed the hot water melt away his frustration, pushing his thoughts aside. He leaned against the cool red and white tiled wall; his arm became goosed fleshed momentarily before warming up again. He had to figure out a way to win Kagome back. Ever since the 8th grade, their friendship had severed. It was basically his fault; he knew for sure that it was. So it was his problem to fix. Sighing, he shut of the water; easier said then done he thought as threw a black towel over his head. Dripping from head to toe, he stalked out of the bathroom, leaving small puddles of water in his wake.

"My God, you could at least put the towel around your waist." A baritone voice drawled.

"Jesus Christ!" Inuyasha jumped three feet in the air. Losing his footing he crashed down to the ground hard on the floor. The man belonging to the voice cringed and looked away when he saw him sprawled out, revealing all of himself.

"Uhh! I think I'm going to be sick." He said in morbid disgust.

"What the fuck! What are you doing in my room!" the smaller of the two roared.

"Could you please stop yelling? It's truly unnecessary." The male said in a cool tone. Inuyasha face became heated; he could always make him feel like he was weaker than the other. Realizing that he was flashing his brother, he quickly retrieved the towel off the floor; wrapping it around his waist before standing up.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he scowled at the man sitting comfortably at his desk.

"I live here too." He answered sarcastically, making they younger one bare his teeth at him.

"You ain't suppose to be here until next month." He noted, glaring at him when he didn't getting a response. Huffing in annoyance, he walked over to his hand- carved Chippendale dresser, pulling open the drawer; he grabbed a pair of black boxers and a wife-beater. Who the hell does he think he is? He's got some nerve coming in here in one of his Armani suits and Italian shoes like he owns that damn place. It made him want to gag how he thought everyone was beneath him in every way.

"I see that the rumors are true that you dyed you hair." He heard Sesshomaru's monotone voice ring in his ears. For some reason he could hear the mockery hidden in the emotionless vocals making him growl slightly.

"Why the hell do you care?" he asked in a bored tone, trying the hide the anger that was building inside him. Sesshomaru flicked off a speck of dirt that was lying underneath his manicured fingernail.

"I don't, however Father was very displeased with it." Inuyasha shrugged on a blood red shirt.

"Feh. If he's so displeased then why hasn't he said anything about it?" he yanked a leg through his black pants leg then the other.

"He believes that you just going through a rebellious stage."

"Then I'm going through a rebellious stage." He said reasonably as he buttoned his baggy jeans; he really didn't feel like arguing today.

"Inuyasha, you represent the Taisho family just as much as I do. Pulling stunts like this taints our name." Inuyasha mentally counted to ten, telling himself not lose control. He wouldn't let Sesshomaru get the better of him.

"Every rich family has a wild child." He said between his teeth.

"That's no excuse." His stoic mask broke as he raised his voice. "And have you thought of college? This is your last year, or are you thinking of taking up pro baseball?" That did it.

"Why don't you get off my fucking back?" He roared, whirling around gold clashed with gold as his fire lit eyes met with Sesshomaru's hard one. "Why the fuck do you care all of a sudden! Why are so suddenly interested in what I do with my life!"

"Father wants…"

"Father wants this and Father wants that. My God! What about what I want! You wouldn't even fucking be here if he hadn't asked you to." Sesshomaru remained silent. Disgusted and down right pissed, Inuyasha tugged on his other shoe before walking towards the door, having enough of his brother.

"Inuyasha." He could've sworn he heard some regret in that one word, but he dismissed that thought.

"It's one thing if you wanted to spend time with me instead of following Dad's precious orders. So you know what? You can take this brotherly bonding bullshit and shove it up your ass." With that he left, leaving Sesshomaru to ponder at his words.

Kagome and Sango walked in to "Magnifique" beauty and tanning salon.

"Sorry but we're closed." A young woman said at the sound of the small bell going off. Her back was turned to them as she finished cleaning off her work station.

"Hey Kida." Kagome greeted, making the blonde girl turn around.

"Hey Kags, Sango." she said with a smile.

"Why are you guys closes so early?" Sango wanted to know.

"Cause half of the stylist are sick with the flu. I had to cancel mostly all of our appointments for today."

"I have another job for you." Kagome announced, making her smile grow even wider.

"Ohh?" She brushed her hands on her blue apron before taking it off, hanging it in its proper place. "And what's going through your head this time?" she asked, straightening out her gray striped blouse. She sat down in one of the salon chairs; Kagome and Sango did the same as Kagome explained her experiment.

"Whoa." Kida blurted out after she was done. "Don't you think you're taking this to the extreme?"

"Thank you. Someone finally agrees with me." Kagome rolled her eyes at Sango comment.

"Come on Kida, this will be so much fun and this will be a great piece for your beautician/cosmetician portfolio." She added and smiled inwardly when she saw Kida considering it. Kida Hemlock wasn't really into school academically but she did like beauty school and was destined to be a celebrity cosmetic beautician and hairstylist.

"Ok, I'll do it. How much time do I have?" Kagome nibbled on her bottom lip nervously.

Here comes the yelling. "This weekend."

"What!" Kida jumped from her seat staring angrily and incredulously at her. "So you're telling me that I have today, Saturday and Sunday to do this?" She groaned loudly in frustration, dragging her hands through her blond locks. "I'm so sick of your impulsive ideas." She muttered. Closing her amber eyes, she forced herself to breath evenly to think. "Do you have any idea what you want to look like? Your ethnicity, where you come from? Something that I can work with?"

"All I thought of is that I'm from Athens, Greece." She said shyly, hoping that would please her a little. She let out a breath when she nodded her head.

"That's a start." She looked at the clock on the white wall. "It's only 3 o' clock. Let's go to the mall."

"What? Why?"

"If you're going to be a boy, you're going to have to dress like one." She began to walk to the door.

"Why can't I take some of Souta's clothes?" she whined.

"Because he's bigger and taller and his clothes would fit hideously on you. Hope you got your debit card cause I not paying for shit." She set the alarm then held open the door for the sorrowful ebony and her companion before locking up. This was going to be a long afternoon.

Going to the mall was on thing; she actually liked shopping, when it was girl things. It was utterly embarrassing when they walked into Unique Men's department store, which according to Kida, was where they could find every fashionably clothing there was for men. It did relieve her when she noticed that there weren't many people in the store. Following Kida, they walked all the way up to the checkout counter.

"Hey Ayame." The girl with bright red hair popped her head up at the sound of her name.

"Hey Kida." She welcomed pleasantly. "How can I help you?"

"We need boys' clothes."

"Well you came to the right place. Getting them for your boyfriend?" Kida shook her head.

"Nope, for her." She scooted to the side, revealing a nervous Kagome for behind her. Ayame face twisted in confusion.

"Uhhh…" she didn't know what to say without offending the customer.

"She's doing this thing for her school where she has to act like a guy so she can find out what makes them…well them." Kida explained.

"Oh…that's scary." Ayame said chuckling a little. "Ok, well let's see what we can do." She came from behind the counter leading them through the uncountable racks of clothes.

"Kida, why do we need help? Why can't I just pick a few clothes and be done?" Kagome whispered.

"Because I'm only good at the hair, face, and body, but when it comes to fashion, I'm ass out. Luckily for us you have a fashion guru to assist us."

"Aww, stop; you're making me blush." Ayame said coyly. Figuring that her body would fit best with the junior supply, she began picking out jeans and shirts as they walked towards the dressing room

"Uhh, I don't need a lot. Just about three or four outfits will do." Kagome gestured, noting that Ayame arms were filled with clothes.

"I didn't pick out a lot." she laid out the materials on one of the brown leather couches that were there for the customers that didn't want to shop; five pairs of pants, four button down shirts, and four T-shirts. "This way you have different combinations of outfits so it looks like you have twenty of them."

"Ok, well I'll just take this then." She went to grab them only to be stopped by Ayame's interfering hand.

"Wait you have to try them on to make sure they fit and look decent on you."

"Yeah, and we have to visualize you with a tan, seeing how you're from Athens and all." Kida added in, somewhat mockingly.

"Fine." Kagome huffed, gathering the clothing, she push the door to on of the dressing rooms open; shutting it closed with her foot. She hoped she wasn't making a big mistake.

Inuyasha and his friends sat at one of the table at the mall café, just relaxing and discussing what had happened between him and his brother and other stuff of course. Mostly about the upcoming All-Star game, and who they should take to the Masquerade Ball, which was in the same week. Inuyasha didn't mind, in fact this was actually what he needed; between Bankotsu and Kouga with work and him and Miroku with the team they rarely got to see each other outside of school anymore.

"How bout that one?" Kouga asked, nodding his head over to the brunette that walked passed their table then stopped in front of a store window. The baby blue halter-top and low rider jeans she was wearing showed off her back. Her infectious giggle coursed through the area as she talked on her phone, swaying her shopping bags so that they bumped against her hips.

"Nice piece of ass." Miroku commented, watching the way it moved back and forth. "What do ya think Yash?" Inuyasha sat back in his chair in silence as he took another sip of his drink.

"She's totally doing that on purpose." Bankotsu scoffed.

"How do you know?"

"What girl just stops at a random store window and doesn't go in if she wants something or walks away?"

"Apparently she does want something." Kouga added.

"Yeah, she's been following us for the past 2 hours." Inuyasha laughed at the sight of Kouga's face.

"Great, we gota stalker" he mumbled.

"Well let's see who she was stalking then." Miroku whistled loudly in her direction. "Hey girl in the blue top." He knew he had her attention when she stopped swing her hipS.

Bankotsu and Inuyasha both rolled their eyes when she looked both ways; as if there was someone else he was referring to before turning to look at them. Kouga cringed, why do the beautiful ones have to be crazy? Her chestnut shoulder length hair made her blue eyes pop, framing her heart shaped face, high cheekbones and slender neck. The top hugged her torso like a second skin; the V- cut exposed the slope of her firm breast, showing off her midriff; her jeans were low and snug around her hips, telling all that she wasn't wearing any underwear.

Miroku smirked, crooked his finger, beckoning her to come join them. She put on, what they all assumed was, her sexy smile as she seductively rocked her hips walking to their table.

"Hi." She said low and sultry eyeing all of them.

"Hi yourself. Me and my friends noticed that you were following us." He paused when he saw pink dust creep up on her cheeks. "So what's your name?" she cleared her throat, finding her composure again.

"Treasure." Stripper name! Went through everyone's head.

"Is that your given name?" Inuyasha asked suspiciously, earning a hard kick by Miroku from under the table. Treasure lifted her head giving him a hard look.

"Yes it is." She spat angrily.

"Excuse him, it's his time of the month." He ignored the death glare, "So… Treasure, which one of us are you interested in?" he asked, not beating around the bush. Treasure shifted her feet.

"Him." She pointed directly at the one she wanted, giving him a lustful look. Both Inuyasha and Kouga mentally cheered when she had chosen Bankotsu. "How about me and you go out sometime?" She advanced closer to the table until her legs bumped up against it. Bankotsu just stared at her; he reached for his drink taking a long slurp, trying not to laugh at her.

"Sorry but I'm taken." That didn't discourage her in the least.

"That's ok, I won't tell anyone, and I bet I would be a much better girlfriend than she is." Her light blue eyes continued to stare into his dark ones as if that would change his mind. His shoulders shook slightly as he tried to contain his laughter, she could've of been no more than 15 years old. His friends stared back and forth between the two, laughter gleaming in their eyes.

"I don't think she would appreciate it if we did… start an… affair." He backed in his seat some when she leaned over the table, forcing Kouga to move to the side.

"I promise I'll make it worth your while." She whispered huskily; their faces almost touch. He looked at his friends for help but got worried when he saw Miroku's blanched face.

Looking over the kid's shoulder, his heart plunged into the pit of his stomach when he saw his girlfriend standing right behind them. He gulped audibly; he could practically see the FLAMES of HELL engulfing her as she clenched her fist by her waist, her amber eyes darken with anger, her lips twisted into a snarl. He noticed that Kouga and Inuyasha were smart enough to move to where Miroku was sitting, not wanting to get in the path of destruction.

Kida marched over swiftly and just as fast, grabbed a handful of Treasure's hair, making her scream in pain as she yanked her back away from the table.

"What the fuck!" the assaulted girl yelled. She held the back of her head as she stared fiercely at the blonde. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"I should be asking you the same question bitch! I'm his girlfriend! Who the fuck are you?" she yelled back, drawing attention to herself.

Kagome, Sango, and Ayame felt that it was unsafe to stand by her and moved over to where the boys were sitting.

"Humph." She looked up and down at the fair-haired woman. "You're not much to look at." She retorted. Kida gaped at her momentarily before taking off her hoop earrings. "Oh, bring it on bitch." The brunette challenged. Kida's arm snakes out, her hand gripping the girl by her throat; using her middle finger, she pressed down on the pressure point in her neck, cutting off the movement in her arms (A/n: so don't know if that what it does), while pressing her thumb against her windpipe, so that there wouldn't be any marks. Treasure gasped as she tried to get oxygen in her lungs.

"Why don't you go back on the street corner where you belong," Kida suggested rather calmly, "And if I ever see you near my man again," she leaned down so that her mouth was near her ear, "I'll kill you." With that, she released her pushing her back. Treasure stumbled to the cool, hard tiles below as she gasped for air.

"You're… you're crazy!" she accused, her blue eyes wild as she stared into Kida's emotionless ones.

"Yeah, I am." She watched as Treasure scrambled to feet, grabbing her shopping bags and dashed out of the café. She looked from side to side, staring at the frightened eyes of the employees and customers, and then they turned back around and continued with their business as if nothing had happened. Satisfied, she gave all of her attention to her "endearing" boyfriend who seemed to be paralyzed to his seat.

"Bankotsu, darling." She placed a sweet smile on her face, which made him even more afraid as she stalked towards him.

"Now, Kida, I know it looks bad but I wasn't going to do anything. I even said I was taken." His voiced spiked as he tried to defend himself. Everyone jumped when she slammed her hands on the table.

"And you just let her invade your personal space? You just let her say anything to you? What would have happened if I hadn't been here? Would you have seen how far she would've gone? Huh? And you three, "she turned to the others, making them jump involuntarily, "You just sit there and let it happen like it's was some kind of game? Like it was fucking entertainment!" She didn't let them answer, straightening herself up she began to walk away, they girls following behind.

"Kida..."

"Don't wanna hear it!" She cut him off, walking out of the café. Knowing that he was in the doghouse, Bankotsu groaned in despair. He would never hear the end of this. Sulking he placed his left elbow on the table, resting his chin in the palm of his hand.

"Well, wasn't that eventful." Miroku laughed nervously, trying to lighten up the gloomy cloud that settled above his friend's head. He quieted down and continued to eat his cold food when Bankotsu gave him I'm-going-to-kill-you look. They others chuckled lightly but wouldn't dare speak as they followed suit with Miroku. Context

Kida slammed the door open to her apartment that she shared with her mother. The other girls cowardly crept in behind her. The car ride to her place had been eerily quiet; the heated tension that Kida gave off nearly suffocated them.

"Make yourselves comfortable." She offered while she stormed across the one floor apartment that also served as a studio that her and her mother used.

Kagome looked around; it was an ordinary, homey place, if you didn't count the countless hand-made masks covering white Styrofoam head, wigs of all different styles and colors lined up on the walls like wallpaper. A rainbow of fabrics littered the floors, hiding the surprisingly white rug.

"Sorry about the mess." Kida responded, munching on a chocolate bar. "This is where me and Mom do our work so we don't really tidy up. Can't find anything if we do." She explained grinning slightly; then pointed behind her. "The living area and kitchen is that way if you want anything."

"So what does your mom do?" Sango asked as she made her way over to the living room, being careful not to step on the fabric.

"She's a make-up artist and you know those latex mask that they put on actors and actresses to change their appearance, she does that too."

"That's so cool." Kida smiled at the praise. Going into the kitchen she grabbed a pitcher of lemonade from the refrigerator then grabbing four glasses from one of the cabinets that aligned along the wall, pouring a glass for each of them.

"So where do you two go to school?" Ayame asked.

"Freeman High School." They said in unison.

"Really? I'm starting there on Monday." Kida bit into her candy bar.

"How come? I thought you went that prep school down the street."

"My mom's job transferred her to a different department and gas is way too high for her to drive between there and home. The new house is in a different district so I have to go to that school. I'm glad I won't be alone." She smiled at the Kagome and Sango who returned the favor.

"Great that means you can be in on this whole project." Kida interjected, getting the others attention. "Ok," she clasped her hands together. "We don't have a lot of time. We've got t hreedays to get Kagome to look, act, talk, think, and even smell like a… uhhh! Like a boy." The girls nodded in agreement. "Ok, let's get to work!"